AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The living room is filled with family and dozens of children. I can see Zenya’s younger brother and sister and Troian and Chessa’s small children. Several of my nephews and nieces rush over and cling to my legs, and they squeal with laughter as I walk around the room pretending I don’t know they’re there. They’re joined by some cousins’ kids and soon I have five small children hanging off me.
Zenya enters the room, looking like an angel in a snow-white chiffon dress, and that’s the end of fun Uncle Kristian. I stop walking and tell them, “Off you go. All of you. I want to talk to Zenya.”
They pout and whine but let go of me, running off to continue the game with a cousin of mine. I turn toward Zenya, but Chessa steps in front of me yet again and grabs my arm.
This woman is testing my fucking patience.
“Why don’t you leave her alone tonight? Let the girl have some fun instead of always being with you. There’s a young man I want her to meet.”
A man?
Over Chessa’s dead and rotting corpse.
“What do you mean? I’m fun Uncle Kristian.” I glare at Chessa until she removes her hand from my arm.
No one tells me what I can and can’t do with my own niece.
I keep glaring at my sister-in-law until she turns away from me. Then I grab her arm and yank her back to me so fast that she gasps. My fingers dig viciously into her arm as I whisper through clenched teeth, “If Zenya talks to any man but me tonight, I will make you cry, and that’s a fucking promise.”
Just then, one of her children runs past us, a boy of seven or so. I don’t know his name. I can’t keep up with all her children. She brought three into her marriage with Troian and has had another two since they wed.
I let my gaze follow him significantly, and Chessa turns pale.
I wouldn’t hurt one of her brats, but she’s never been sure of what I’m capable of since the home invasion two years ago. For four hours she listened to the screaming, and she never once said thank you. That’s gratitude for you.
Not that I did it for her.
I did it for Zenya.
Chessa wrenches herself from my grip and hurries away from me, clutching her hand to her chest.
I don’t even need to move toward her. Zenya spots me all by herself and hurries to my side. My dark thoughts vanish immediately, and I smile down at her. “Hello, princess. Have you got a kiss for your uncle?”
She gazes up at me with a wretched expression. “I had to tell Chessa where you took me last week. I didn’t want to, but she demanded I tell her and…”
I place a finger over her lips. “You couldn’t lie to Chessa. It’s all right, I understand.”
I don’t blame Zenya. Chessa should mind her goddamn business.
Zenya takes my hand and holds it tightly. “I’m sorry. Was she really angry with you?”
“I didn’t notice.”
Zenya gently touches my shoulder, her doll-like blue eyes filled with worry. “How are your scrapes?”
At last, some sympathy in this house for my war wounds.
“Don’t worry about me. Let me take a look at you.” I raise her hand over her head, turning her in a circle so I can admire her from every angle. Her waist-length silvery hair hangs in long, loose curls down her back. Diamond earrings are sparkling in her ears, and I feel a thump of pleasure as I realize they’re the ones I brought back from Russia for her birthday.
“You’re beautiful, Zenya,” I murmur, drinking in every detail of her.
“I suppose I’ll have to stay home next time there’s anything really interesting to do,” she says, finishing her turn and looking crestfallen.
I lower her hand and tug her into my arms, catching her lightly about the waist. “No. I want you with me.”
She smiles, and a faint pink blush blooms across her cheeks, making her look even prettier. My niece is my delight. She’s my favorite of Troian’s children, and I’m her favorite person in the world.
“Chessa says you’re putting me in danger.”
